Africa-Press – Mauritius. Phase 2B of the Metro Express, from Quatre Bornes to Phoenix, was launched, today, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at the Phoenix Metro Station.
The Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo; the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr Kavydass Ramano; the Chief Executive Officer of Metro Express Ltd, Mr Das Mootanah, as well as other eminent personalities were present.
In a statement, Prime Minister Jugnauth rejoiced that the Metro line has now been extended to Phoenix. This alignment, he said, will see a lot of improvement in the lives of commuters who will be travelling by the Metro.
He added that the Metro Express is set to change the face of the country’s public transport over the coming years adding that it will also make its mark on the landscape of the different regions covered by the Metro line and the lives of the inhabitants.
Prime Minister Jugnauth said that Government is working on the extension of the Metro Express line so as to better serve the inhabitants of the different regions of Mauritius and to cater to their transport needs.
Government, he said, will ensure that all citizens have access to a safe, ecological, comfortable and affordable transport system, thus contributing to reducing traffic congestion, road accidents as well as pollution.
The Metro line, he added, will eventually be extended from Réduit to Cote D’Or and Belle Terre and from Curepipe to La Vigie. He pointed out that the vision of Government is to eventually cover the country with the Metro Express network, from the north, south, east, and west.
Speaking about the Traffic Master Plan devised by the Ministry of Land Transport and Light Rail, he appealed to the population to familiarise themselves with the different routes and new traffic lights which have been installed in the context of the extension of the Metro line.
He also observed that although construction works have caused a lot of inconvenience, there will be a lot of business opportunities along the Metro Express alignment.
Mr Jugnauth also extended his thanks and gratitude to the Indian Government which has granted funds to the Mauritian Government for the implementation of the Metro Express Project. He recalled that the assistance provided by the Indian Government has enabled the extension of the network from Rose Hill to Réduit.
He underscored that Government is working towards its development plan for the future and consequently, several contracts have already been awarded such as for the Metro Express Project.
According to him, it is important that projects aimed at enhancing the quality of lives of all citizens should be implemented. Furthermore, the Prime Minister lauded the collaboration of the private sector with the public sector.
He recalled that the Ascencia Group will finance a Metro Station at the Phoenix Mall adding that the Victoria Urban Terminal has been set up with the collaboration of the private sector. Other Urban Terminals, he said, will be constructed in Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, and Curepipe.
Speaking about the acts of vandalism at the Barkly station, he stated that they have caused significant damage to equipment which has resulted in a loss of Rs 13 million adding that he condemns such acts.
The commercial service from Quatre Bornes station to Phoenix station has been operational today as from 13 00 hrs. Metro Express passenger service will then be operational every day from 06 00 hrs to 19 00 hrs.
The trip between the Quatre Bornes station and Phoenix station is of a six-minute duration. Phase 2 B covers 3,6 km of track from Quatre Bornes to Phoenix.
Trial tests on the line have started since February 2022. Between St Jean and Phoenix, three stations are operational on the alignment namely St Jean station, Trianon station, and Phoenix station.
Phase 2 of the Metro Express
Phase 2 of the Metro Express network development covers 12.6 km of track which will connect Rose Hill to Curepipe up to Jan Palach South, and will complete the connection between Victoria Station and Place de l’Immigration in Port Louis.
The first phase of the Mauritius Metro Express on a 13 km section between Rose Hill and Port Louis was inaugurated in October 2019. Once completely operational, the 26 km line will extend from Curepipe to Immigration Square in Port Louis and will include 19 stations.
The metro project will cut the journey time from Curepipe to Port Louis to 41 minutes. The project design includes the creation of a multimodal urban transit solution, connecting three major bus interchanges to give commuters access to bus services.
The metro line will have 19 stations, two of which will be elevated. A dedicated train depot is located at Richelieu. The Metro Express project is powered by 18 bi-directional, low-floor, air-conditioned trams with seven modules each.
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